RON CARTER & JIM HALL
Telepathy (Concord Records)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Telepathy is a recent re-release by Concord Records of two Ron Carter & Jim Hall live recordings. The first cd contains music from a 1982 concert at the Village West in New York City, originally titled Live At The Village West. The second disc is from a 1984 show at the Concord Pavilion in Concord, California and titled Telephone. Ron Carter plays bass on both and Jim Hall is on guitar.

Telepathy is one of those aptly named recordings. The interplay and collaboration between these two great musicians is fabulous. Both players are equally adept at lead or rhythm and are among the most melodic of musicians on their instruments. This combination allows for some combustible moments as both players compliment each other superbly. Hall in particular pulls out all the stops and his prodigious talent is on display for all to enjoy, though both he and Carter have technique to burn.

This cd rewards close and careful attention. The music is intimately sophisticated and complex. There are times during Carter's bass solos when I catch myself thinking it's really Hall playing his guitar. Carter is that outstanding. Among my favorite numbers are "All The Things You Are" and "Stardust." You don't need telepathy to hear the empathy between these two consummate artists. At the current twofer price of this cd, its a steal!

Track List:

Bag's Groove * All The Things You Are * Blue Monk * New Waltz * Down From Antiqua * Summer Night * St. Thomas * Embraceable You * Laverne Walk; Baubles, Bangles, and Beads * Telephone * Indian Summer * Candlelight; Chorale And Dance * Alone Together * Stardust * Two's Blues

© 2002 - Ron Saranich